Being in Bangalore after almost a year gave me a chance to re look at certain things which I didn't pay too much attention to or ignored or took for granted or cribbed about.
This is going to be surprising but I really felt that the traffic situation had changed slightly. Things were as chaotic on the road in terms of following the rules but still traffic seemed to be moving better.
I still found the eateries everywhere but observed that footfalls seemed to be lesser. Though, I did see all of the usual places I haunted, still existing which brought a smile to me. Recession didn't seem to be wreaking a havoc as in some other places and maybe keeping our economy slightly disconnected was not a bad thing after all.
Infrastructure projects showed progress - metro, flyovers, elevated roads etc. were progressing. Actually I was surprised to see the good preparation which had been made to facilitate road usage on the Bellandur junction while the fly over construction goes on.
Still found empty apartments but many apartment projects which were lying vacant showed signs of life. Surprisingly, I didn't see any huge ongoing apartment projects but maybe that was just because I probably didnt venture into areas where the projects were on.
Found people taking time out to look after their health - running, cycling are all in vogue it seems.
Volvo buses were doing well and lots of people including me were using it regularly. Maybe that's helping the traffic.
I saw lot of traction on public-government joint initiatives. People becoming aware, getting involved in activism, taking up responsibility from small things to bigger objectives - my very good friend D as always inspired me by not the usual ability to manage time but also giving an insight into how he is involved in a movement which is trying to make changes at the grass root level.
Last but not the least, I met a BBMP official / clerk who refused "chai / paani" money. A young man who clearly said "I dont need it Sir!". Was gladdened to the bottom of my heart to meet this young man. "Congratulations to you Sir".
The list is longer but I go now to have my "chai / paani" :-)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Change - agent? first learn to understand it - Part 2
Continuing my observations regarding change and its various aspects an important realization which I made was as much as change is difficult to initiate and manage a connected complication of the same is conflict management. Many times good initiatives fails because of inadequate conflict management and resolution plus the tendency of the change initiator to play the role of the change consultant - always occupying the high ground and preaching what should be done.
This realization dawned on me when I spent some quality time with my parents at my ancestral home after a long gap. The daily routine in my house has remained so for years and both my parents strive tirelessly to retain it like that. The only problem is that age is catching up with them and so things which were done easily take double the time and triple the effort. On top of that my mother's dubious health makes simple tasks tiresome. The focus on task completion and the inability to do it in as good a way as it was initially done leads to frustration and ultimately more strife and tension in the house. The end result being that the parents are not happy.
Me, recognizing this, tried my utmost to make them understand that the insistence on this daily routine was ruining their quality of life - water management, plant management, bathing Alex ( pet dog ), cleaning, keeping the big house in order etc. were all things which were secondary to health and peace of mind. This led to more strife and conflict in the house and didn't serve the purpose which I was trying to achieve - ensure happiness of my parents. I left home unsatisfied having failed in my objective but have been thinking of how the could it have been managed better.
I don't have all the answers but some of the things which have dawned on me is that foremost I was naive in believing that i could give happiness to my folks, happiness cant be given, one can facilitate it but ultimately one has to be happy - I can't make someone who is unwilling, happy. Secondly, I was really behaving like a change consultant - a guest - who was making observations, applying management jargons and more interested in proving points rather than explaining the points. The result being I came across as a preacher and not a partner in this endeavor to improve a situation which subsequently led to my folks and I taking opposite sides. Change could possibly be better managed in a cooperative environment.
The thinking is ongoing but at least I have discovered two aspects which I need to keep in mind the next time I am at home. I am also happy that over the past few days of my stay I actually contributed in doing some of the more difficult house chores so that at the bare minimum some of the things could be off their mind for sometime.I also got rid of some the junk in the house. Actually what all I got rid off would be an interesting write too :-)
This realization dawned on me when I spent some quality time with my parents at my ancestral home after a long gap. The daily routine in my house has remained so for years and both my parents strive tirelessly to retain it like that. The only problem is that age is catching up with them and so things which were done easily take double the time and triple the effort. On top of that my mother's dubious health makes simple tasks tiresome. The focus on task completion and the inability to do it in as good a way as it was initially done leads to frustration and ultimately more strife and tension in the house. The end result being that the parents are not happy.
Me, recognizing this, tried my utmost to make them understand that the insistence on this daily routine was ruining their quality of life - water management, plant management, bathing Alex ( pet dog ), cleaning, keeping the big house in order etc. were all things which were secondary to health and peace of mind. This led to more strife and conflict in the house and didn't serve the purpose which I was trying to achieve - ensure happiness of my parents. I left home unsatisfied having failed in my objective but have been thinking of how the could it have been managed better.
I don't have all the answers but some of the things which have dawned on me is that foremost I was naive in believing that i could give happiness to my folks, happiness cant be given, one can facilitate it but ultimately one has to be happy - I can't make someone who is unwilling, happy. Secondly, I was really behaving like a change consultant - a guest - who was making observations, applying management jargons and more interested in proving points rather than explaining the points. The result being I came across as a preacher and not a partner in this endeavor to improve a situation which subsequently led to my folks and I taking opposite sides. Change could possibly be better managed in a cooperative environment.
The thinking is ongoing but at least I have discovered two aspects which I need to keep in mind the next time I am at home. I am also happy that over the past few days of my stay I actually contributed in doing some of the more difficult house chores so that at the bare minimum some of the things could be off their mind for sometime.I also got rid of some the junk in the house. Actually what all I got rid off would be an interesting write too :-)
Change - agent? first learn to understand it - Part 1
My recent visit back home has been a catharsis of sorts. How? well let me share some perspectives over a series of writings all connected to the same theme.
I attended the quarterly meeting of the Lucknow Club where the topic of conversation was Acrobatics of Change. This is a new book written by Mr. Moid Siddiqui and Mr. R.H. Khwaja. I was fascinated by the topic and the fact that older people would be meeting to talk about change. Well, as you would have gathered I was skeptical of this discussion as I am convinced that it is the younger generation which is the harbinger of change and that the older generation is the one which steadfastly opposes it. Mr. Khwaja's speech and the following conversation was much more than what I expected. To get an opportunity to listen first hand to a person who managed change in an organization which employed over 5000 people and led to a transformation of not just a district but a complete national business entity was intriguing. Since my professional job involves encouraging change, managing it and at times initiating and leading it I was able to relate to the conversation and also contribute to it.
It was fascinating for me to get first hand insight into how good governance tends to be a change incubator and how an individual amongst the bureaucracy having the opportunity could break through the logjam and push reforms through. In fact come to think of it in my skepticism I had started overlooking the fact that in a country like India ( this would also hold good for world in general ) over the past many decades in spite of all the failures there have been many positive instances of massive change initiatives which have been successfully managed by the governments of the land.
We the young who are so steeped in the corporate culture and life tend to overlook the fact that change is the permanent aspect of the growth of a country and there are various arms of the establishment / system , a term which is a synonym for stability, which are trying every day to ensure the balance between preventing large scale disruptions and rapid development.
I attended the quarterly meeting of the Lucknow Club where the topic of conversation was Acrobatics of Change. This is a new book written by Mr. Moid Siddiqui and Mr. R.H. Khwaja. I was fascinated by the topic and the fact that older people would be meeting to talk about change. Well, as you would have gathered I was skeptical of this discussion as I am convinced that it is the younger generation which is the harbinger of change and that the older generation is the one which steadfastly opposes it. Mr. Khwaja's speech and the following conversation was much more than what I expected. To get an opportunity to listen first hand to a person who managed change in an organization which employed over 5000 people and led to a transformation of not just a district but a complete national business entity was intriguing. Since my professional job involves encouraging change, managing it and at times initiating and leading it I was able to relate to the conversation and also contribute to it.
It was fascinating for me to get first hand insight into how good governance tends to be a change incubator and how an individual amongst the bureaucracy having the opportunity could break through the logjam and push reforms through. In fact come to think of it in my skepticism I had started overlooking the fact that in a country like India ( this would also hold good for world in general ) over the past many decades in spite of all the failures there have been many positive instances of massive change initiatives which have been successfully managed by the governments of the land.
We the young who are so steeped in the corporate culture and life tend to overlook the fact that change is the permanent aspect of the growth of a country and there are various arms of the establishment / system , a term which is a synonym for stability, which are trying every day to ensure the balance between preventing large scale disruptions and rapid development.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Just by 0.01 Degrees...
Today while going through the daily News I came across this headline -
"Global warming? Avg temp rose just 0.01 Degree F since ’99"
I was shocked to see it, to say the least! The article mentioned that the skeptics are pointing out that since in the last decade the global temperature has increased by just 0.01 Degree F all the doomsday prophecies and the concerns regarding climate change are not really relevant. We as a human race have a control over this problem.
What would convince everyone that we have a problem at hand which could reach catastrophic proportions? Usually one would say a "disaster" would set people thinking but in this case we tend to be so blind to the issues at hand that irregular weather patterns, increased instances of atmospheric turbulence, disappearing ice masses, disappearance of complete species etc. does not register. We still would like to debate and argue about whether "global warming is serious or not".
The other day I was thinking that carbon management is becoming big business and then it stuck me that maybe carbon management was getting more impetus and focus BECAUSE it is becoming big business. I am no leftist and don't claim to be non-materialistic but I found it strange that we as a race need materialistic aspects to attract our attention to something which is intrinsic to our existence.
Our world leaders have convened to discuss the climate problem at the behest of the UN but I was so disappointed to still see the same old rhetoric being repeated and the same games being played - yes the developed world has contributed to the present situation but in the future the developing world is going to make the situation worse as they progress. The solution does not lie in trying to find out who should do/scarifice more or should do/sacrifice less but in working together as ONE to address this beast of a problem. Progress has to be sustainable and the developed world could help the developing world by partnering in this endeavor.
"Global warming? Avg temp rose just 0.01 Degree F since ’99"
I was shocked to see it, to say the least! The article mentioned that the skeptics are pointing out that since in the last decade the global temperature has increased by just 0.01 Degree F all the doomsday prophecies and the concerns regarding climate change are not really relevant. We as a human race have a control over this problem.
What would convince everyone that we have a problem at hand which could reach catastrophic proportions? Usually one would say a "disaster" would set people thinking but in this case we tend to be so blind to the issues at hand that irregular weather patterns, increased instances of atmospheric turbulence, disappearing ice masses, disappearance of complete species etc. does not register. We still would like to debate and argue about whether "global warming is serious or not".
The other day I was thinking that carbon management is becoming big business and then it stuck me that maybe carbon management was getting more impetus and focus BECAUSE it is becoming big business. I am no leftist and don't claim to be non-materialistic but I found it strange that we as a race need materialistic aspects to attract our attention to something which is intrinsic to our existence.
Our world leaders have convened to discuss the climate problem at the behest of the UN but I was so disappointed to still see the same old rhetoric being repeated and the same games being played - yes the developed world has contributed to the present situation but in the future the developing world is going to make the situation worse as they progress. The solution does not lie in trying to find out who should do/scarifice more or should do/sacrifice less but in working together as ONE to address this beast of a problem. Progress has to be sustainable and the developed world could help the developing world by partnering in this endeavor.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Please define the Aam Aadmi or Aurat
The Congress government returned to power with a clear mandate in the last general elections on the Aam Aadmi plank with a promise to work for the greater good of the common Indian and the country as a whole.
Since then all the ministers have been raising the right noises about working for the people or worried about the problems faced by the man on the street etc. but somehow the ground realities are not reflecting the intention ...
1. Fuel prices have increased after the elections.
2. Food prices are at a record high with Tur/Arhar daal being sold for Rs.90 / kgs
3. Interest rates are feared to spike too.
This when most of the rest of the world is facing deflation. The idea everywhere is to stimulate demand but if prices of essential commodities rise to such levels how will people save money to invest on other commodities?
Which Aam Aadmi is this government working for? The budget laid focus on this persona increasing social outlays ( which I don't dispute ) but where is the money coming from? All the plans for economic reforms are still on the back burner though the "Left has been left behind". With rising fiscal deficit we would soon be in the mix of inflation and then how does the government plan to help the common man - by giving out more doles?
Since then all the ministers have been raising the right noises about working for the people or worried about the problems faced by the man on the street etc. but somehow the ground realities are not reflecting the intention ...
1. Fuel prices have increased after the elections.
2. Food prices are at a record high with Tur/Arhar daal being sold for Rs.90 / kgs
3. Interest rates are feared to spike too.
This when most of the rest of the world is facing deflation. The idea everywhere is to stimulate demand but if prices of essential commodities rise to such levels how will people save money to invest on other commodities?
Which Aam Aadmi is this government working for? The budget laid focus on this persona increasing social outlays ( which I don't dispute ) but where is the money coming from? All the plans for economic reforms are still on the back burner though the "Left has been left behind". With rising fiscal deficit we would soon be in the mix of inflation and then how does the government plan to help the common man - by giving out more doles?
Friday, July 10, 2009
Economic Belligerence
Over the past few days if you have been following news coming out of China sample this -
1. 4 Rio Tinto employees arrested on charges of spying in China.
2. China has closed down all mosques in the disturbed areas.
3. China suspended the words democracy, freedom etc. from the TV feeds during the Tiananmen Square anniversary
4. China being asked to support the sanctions against North Korea
and so on...
Reading the above snippets don't you get the impression that China basically does what it decides to do with nobody questioning it. My analysis - this is just because of the economic might of the country.
G8 countries made a statement yesterday that they will push for renewed call for CTBT and ensure that NPT becomes prominent again. I believe it was not so subtle a hint to India the only non NPT nation present at the meeting to get its act together and join the NPT. Without debating whether India should do so or not ( thats for another blog )I can bet that if in place of India it was China which was a non signatory to NPT the world could do nothing about it.
North Korea has been threatening the world with its missile tests, nuclear tests and aggressive posturing towards its neighbors namely Japan and South Korea. Sure it has been slapped with even tougher sanctions but its not widely known that inspite of these sanctions the North Korean economy is still growing - some estimates say by 4%. Ever wondered how is this possible? Ever wondered who is the biggest trade partner of this rogue nation?....China and it is this tacit support which is allowing North Korea to cock a thumb at all. Now the question is why is China able to get away with this? again because of the economic power it has.
In order to fund the 1 Trillion Dollars stimulus package which US has introduced the Treasury has been forced to issue more of the Treasury Bonds. These Bonds have been bought in large numbers by China. Hence if tomorrow China decides to offload these bonds in the world market, US economy could be crippled. In addition, over the years China has emerged as the factory of the world. In such kind of a situation is it a big surprise that everybody looks the other way irrespective of whatever this big nation does?
1. 4 Rio Tinto employees arrested on charges of spying in China.
2. China has closed down all mosques in the disturbed areas.
3. China suspended the words democracy, freedom etc. from the TV feeds during the Tiananmen Square anniversary
4. China being asked to support the sanctions against North Korea
and so on...
Reading the above snippets don't you get the impression that China basically does what it decides to do with nobody questioning it. My analysis - this is just because of the economic might of the country.
G8 countries made a statement yesterday that they will push for renewed call for CTBT and ensure that NPT becomes prominent again. I believe it was not so subtle a hint to India the only non NPT nation present at the meeting to get its act together and join the NPT. Without debating whether India should do so or not ( thats for another blog )I can bet that if in place of India it was China which was a non signatory to NPT the world could do nothing about it.
North Korea has been threatening the world with its missile tests, nuclear tests and aggressive posturing towards its neighbors namely Japan and South Korea. Sure it has been slapped with even tougher sanctions but its not widely known that inspite of these sanctions the North Korean economy is still growing - some estimates say by 4%. Ever wondered how is this possible? Ever wondered who is the biggest trade partner of this rogue nation?....China and it is this tacit support which is allowing North Korea to cock a thumb at all. Now the question is why is China able to get away with this? again because of the economic power it has.
In order to fund the 1 Trillion Dollars stimulus package which US has introduced the Treasury has been forced to issue more of the Treasury Bonds. These Bonds have been bought in large numbers by China. Hence if tomorrow China decides to offload these bonds in the world market, US economy could be crippled. In addition, over the years China has emerged as the factory of the world. In such kind of a situation is it a big surprise that everybody looks the other way irrespective of whatever this big nation does?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Back to Black
I have an imaginary list of music acts I would give anything to watch. The list looks something like this - Led Zepplin, The Doors, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Queen, Metallica, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Dire Straits, Robbie Williams, Uriah Heep, Rolling Stones, The Beatles and I am trying to get as many ticks on it as possible.
On May 22nd I was able to tick off AC/DC. The legends played the Hockenheimring and believe me they literally played the ring. I dont know how many people were there in actual numbers - the next few days I got to hear figures between 70,000 to 90,000 but one needed to be there to appreciate the scale. For better measure, S and I actually went the previous day to check how the arrangements were proceeding and to our surprise actually saw that outside the Ring people were camping and partying while inside the Ring people were busy as a bee working the long hours to get the show ready. Going the two days helped in getting the right perspective in terms of what goes into preparing a show outdoor specially by a mega band.
AC/DC was supported by The Answer ( a band which impressed ) and Claudia Cane Band ( a band which didn't impress ). We waited for hours for the band to rock but when they did all the wait was worth it. The kind of energy Angus Young brings onto the stage is euphoric. One needs to see it to believe it. The concert began with a whole frigging steam engine coming onto the stage and ended with a 30 minutes guitar solo by Angus half of which he played on top of an elevated platform, erected on a projection ramp which brought him so close to where I was standing that I could almost touch him with fireworks going all around.
Following is the setlist -
1. Rock N' Roll Train
2. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
3. Back in Black
4. Big Jack
5. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
6. Shot Down in Flames
7. Thunderstruck
8. Black Ice
9. The Jack
10. Hells Bells
11. Shoot to Thrill
12. War Machine
13. Dog Eat Dog
14. Anything Goes
15. You Shook Me All Night Long
16. T.N.T.
17. Whole Lotta Rosie
18. Let There Be Rock
19. Encore:
19. Highway to Hell
20. For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)
It was one of those concerts where I knew each and every song. Guess so did lots of others and its one hell of an experience where thousands and thousands of people shout, sing or dance together. The show went straight to being one of the top 3 shows I have ever seen. It has such a profound effect that when I went to see The Eagles a few weeks later I had trouble enjoying the performance as AC/DC had just raised the bar way too high.
On May 22nd I was able to tick off AC/DC. The legends played the Hockenheimring and believe me they literally played the ring. I dont know how many people were there in actual numbers - the next few days I got to hear figures between 70,000 to 90,000 but one needed to be there to appreciate the scale. For better measure, S and I actually went the previous day to check how the arrangements were proceeding and to our surprise actually saw that outside the Ring people were camping and partying while inside the Ring people were busy as a bee working the long hours to get the show ready. Going the two days helped in getting the right perspective in terms of what goes into preparing a show outdoor specially by a mega band.
AC/DC was supported by The Answer ( a band which impressed ) and Claudia Cane Band ( a band which didn't impress ). We waited for hours for the band to rock but when they did all the wait was worth it. The kind of energy Angus Young brings onto the stage is euphoric. One needs to see it to believe it. The concert began with a whole frigging steam engine coming onto the stage and ended with a 30 minutes guitar solo by Angus half of which he played on top of an elevated platform, erected on a projection ramp which brought him so close to where I was standing that I could almost touch him with fireworks going all around.
Following is the setlist -
1. Rock N' Roll Train
2. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
3. Back in Black
4. Big Jack
5. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
6. Shot Down in Flames
7. Thunderstruck
8. Black Ice
9. The Jack
10. Hells Bells
11. Shoot to Thrill
12. War Machine
13. Dog Eat Dog
14. Anything Goes
15. You Shook Me All Night Long
16. T.N.T.
17. Whole Lotta Rosie
18. Let There Be Rock
19. Encore:
19. Highway to Hell
20. For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)
It was one of those concerts where I knew each and every song. Guess so did lots of others and its one hell of an experience where thousands and thousands of people shout, sing or dance together. The show went straight to being one of the top 3 shows I have ever seen. It has such a profound effect that when I went to see The Eagles a few weeks later I had trouble enjoying the performance as AC/DC had just raised the bar way too high.
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